Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the ACC.
Welcome to a list of Louisville’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29.
Our ACC Draft prospect series will run beginning Nov. 7 and will run for the next week, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the ACC’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up on Monday, Nov. 14. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
ACC TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall ACC Top Prospect List
ACC ATLANTIC PROSPECTS: Boston College | Clemson | Florida State | Louisville | N.C. State | Syracuse | Wake Forest
ACC COASTAL PROSPECTS: Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami | North Carolina | Pittsburgh | Virginia | Virginia Tech
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We all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks on it. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences. But the vast majority don’t have that many top-flight prospects. But we also know that the definition “top-flight” doesn’t always pan out. And at the same time, that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot? He ends up making the NFL and flourishing.
Below is a look at Louisville’s Top 5 Draft Prospects, and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. Again, for now, we’ll go strictly with seniors, since no underclassmen have been allowed to declare earlier yet. When they do, we’ll update the lists below.
Louisville linebacker Yasir Abdullah (22) works during the second half of an NCAA football game against Mississippi, in Atlanta
Louisville Football, Atlanta, United States – 06 Sep 2021
LOUISVILLE’S TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Yasir Abdullah (OLB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his fives seasons at Louisville, Yasir has 187 with 113 of them being solo tackles. He has 18.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions and 8 pass deflections.
THE TRUTH: He needs to get better at stopping the run and noticing run blocking techniques. This man can straight penetrate and rush the passer. His first step is deadly quick and he can shed pass blockers very quickly. Abdullah has a great mix of size and speed to be a three down player if he gets better at run defense. To start, he will be a hell of a situational pass rusher for any NFL roster.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: YaYa Diaby (DE)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: During his time at Louisville, Diaby has 86 tackles with 51 of them being solo tackles. He also has 8 career sacks and a pass deflection.
THE TRUTH: He has really turned on the production this year at Louisville so far. In 9 games he already has 6.5 sacks. He is a bit undersized at 6’4, 270 lbs to play inside in the NFL every down but makes up for it with a high motor and quick feet. I think a team definitely should draft him because his production each year has been going up at a good rate. With a few more pounds, he could be a starter in the NFL.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Kenderick Duncan (S)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Duncan’s time at Georgia Southern and Louisville he has 255 tackles with 181 of them being solo. He has 7 interceptions, 18 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack.
THE TRUTH: He definitely is one of Louisville’s top 5 NFL draft prospects because he is very versatile. He can play man-to-man, zone, blitz, play in the box. He has the physical tools and measurables to be an all around great Safety in the league. He needs to tackle better; it is not that he doesn’t show the want to. Sometimes he is just inconsistent in bringing players down. But he has the size, skill, and drive to do just that. I think teams would be crazy to pass on this caliber of player in the later rounds.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Caleb Chandler (OG)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: He plays.
THE TRUTH: The best ability is availability and that is what Caleb has been doing during his time in Louisville. He has played in every game for the Cardinals since 2019. I love the way this kid plays the offensive line; tough, smart and with an attitude. I want him playing guard for my Jets the next 10 years. He doesn’t get hurt, and he plays the game with leverage. He has great size at 6’4, 297 lbs; some scouts say a little light for them. They are wrong. This guy is a starting guard in the league. Watch the tape.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Jermayne Lole (DT)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: While at Arizona State, Lole has 122 tackles with 60 of them being solo. He had 11 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
THE TRUTH: Lole needs to be healthy. He had a season-ending elbow injury week 1 versus Syracuse. You draft this man on potential and size. If you need a plug, three technique nose tackle for cheap, you get him. Lole, when healthy has unbelievably quick feet and strength to blow centers backwards. If he comes back with a clean bill of health, someone’s roster is going to get a lot better. He has pro bowl potential and skills.
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